Anthony Mundine defends racism comments on Living Black

Australian boxer Anthony Mundine has spoken to SBS Indigenous currrent affairs show Living Black after criticism he  received following comments he made about Tasmanian Aboriginals.

Mundine claims his comments made prior to a fight with Daniel Geale were misunderstood and misinterpreted.

“A lot of people thought I was talking bad about our people or saying our people are weak which was not the case.” Mundine tells SBS Living Black host Karla Grant in a special interview to be shown on Sunday 11 November at 4.30pm on SBS One.

“We are the strongest warriors and strongest people to still be here after all we’ve endured. I was saying we are weak as far as being diluted as a race and our people, we’re like an endangered species, our people, our race is dying out and in order to save it we need to start to embrace each other and start to multiply and grow and blossom for the future. That’s all I was trying to say.” Mundine said.

During the heartfelt interview conducted at the Elouera – Tony Mundine Gym in Redfern, Mundine also talks candidly about his career and the controversy that continues to surround him.

“I don’t really care about critics; I don’t really care about people, what they think and what they say. Everyone’s entitled to their opinion; you know what I’m saying. Like me, I’m entitled to my opinion. I just build a platform to express my mind, express my opinion because of my success in sport.

“I’m respectful for everyone’s opinion. They can have theirs but I’m entitled to have mine. Full stop.” Mundine continues.

Mundine also speaks about his recent split from long term manager Khoder Nasser.

“I’m not going to sit here and belittle Khoder or badmouth him, he done a lot of great stuff for my career but I done a lot of great stuff for him as well so it goes both ways. I’m the leader of my own direction now.”

“It hurt me, yeah. I can’t say it didn’t. But . . . things are meant to happen,” Mundine told Grant.

4.30pm on Sunday 11 November on SBS ONE.